Eric's Passions

Eric's Bio

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

This "jacket" is probably misunderstood by a lot of people, but it is a valuable piece of fall/winter cycling kit in the right applications. It is early days for me, but so far I have used this jacket on a rainy ride at about 9 Celsius (48 F) and it kept my core dry, underneath I had on a SS base layer and LS jersey. Water seemed to bead up and roll off nicely and there was no leakage as the seams are taped. I also used in a cold dry ride where the starting temp was 2 Celsius (36 F), underneath was LS base layer and LS jersey. Kept the wind off nicely.

I bought this piece because one of my winter items that seems to get a lot of use is an old Sugoi Hydrolite jacket that I cut into a short-sleeve. In the Northwest where I live, a lot of days are of the "light rain all day" variety, and I find most full-sleeve rain jackets overheat me (even those made with eVent or other high-tech materials). The Xenon should substitute for the Sugoi hybrid nicely, although it is a little more bulky for a jersey pocket. There are no external pockets but there is a small internal chest pocket. I would always have a jersey under this anyway, so pockets are not an issue.

In terms of sizing, I am 6', 170 lbs and have a 38" chest. I went with L and the fit is OK, it is pretty snug across my chest if I sit up and reach back with my arms but in the riding position it is fine. I do find Gore sizing a little strange compared to Castelli/Giordana/Assos. If the item fits me in the chest, there is also a bit of excess material in the shoulders. My shoulders are very narrow though.

I have been using the Fawesome the past few weeks in temps ranging from 4 to 14 Celsius (40-57 F). I have used it in the cold wind and also in a warm-ish rain and all in between. It is quite versatile, I like it for warmer rainy days because it will keep my core mostly dry and warm but I won't overheat like I would in a rain jacket, even something breathable from eVent fabric. I can vary my base layer and jersey selection for the temp and use the Fawesome as the outer membrane.

I also have the Isterico, and it is a good product but much more thermal and a little less water resistant. If I could only choose one I would choose the Fawesome.

The fit is snug, I am 6' and 170 lbs with a 38" chest and the Large gives me a perfectly snug race fit. The only blemish is, as another reviewer points out, the arm holes are cut just a little too large and I have a bit of material flapping on the upper back part of my shoulders. I still gave it 5 stars though, just because it is so incredibly versatile.

I'll just echo what others are saying, these bibs are great. They punch well above their MSRP, and I have owned many pairs of bibs costing $50-100 more that are no better than the Neo Power. The chamois is not super thick, which is a total plus for me as I generally prefer a thinner chamois over a big diaper (I'm talking to you Sugoi RS). Size wise, I am 6 feet, 33 inch waist, ~170 lbs and the Mediums fit me very well. I have had lots of team kit from LG over the years and the M bib short is always the size for me. The Neo Power are pretty snug until washed a couple of times but over many washings the Power Lycra has retained its compression.

The only drawback is that these are probably not the best bibs for scorching hot weather. The Power Lycra is thicker than most shorts I have owned. I consider them great for temps up until about 80 F but beyond that I think these would be way too warm. Fortunately live in a climate where is 80 is a scorcher.

I did not buy these from Realcyclist, but locally. The Chiro Due gloves are quite good in the 36-40 F range, I have used them for 3+ hours in this range and my hands have stayed warm. Between 40-45 F they are good but on the warm side and above 45 F they are probably too much. I had to ditch them one day when the temps got upward of 45 F, changed them out for a pair of Defeet Woolie Duragloves that I was carrying (it was early days with the Chiro Due and I did not know how warm they were). I have not used these in wet weather, but I suspect they will not be stellar performers in steady rain and cold temps as most WS gloves are a letdown in these situations. Hint: try neoprene paddling gloves for cold rainy days.

Early days with the Xenon SO, but I have done two rides wearing it and the temps were 36-40 F. I wore only a mid weight long sleeve base layer plus the Xenon and I was very warm. Neither ride was a long one (~ 2 hours each time), but I would totally be comfortable for 4 hours at 36 F with this jacket plus a quality long sleeve base layer .

In terms of sizing, I am 6' and 168-172 lbs, 38 inch chest and I went with a Large. In the less form fitting Gore jackets like the Phantom I can wear a Medium without issue, but in the race fit product I am pretty happy with the fit of the L. My arms are not excessively long and the arm length on this is just right for me. I might be able to squeeze the M but for sure the arm length would come up short.

I have had Silverline bibs in past years, probably my last pair was purchased in 2008 or 2009. I always wear a Large in Giordana in Forma FR-C, Laser, and Silverline and usually Silverline is the biggest fit. But to my surprise this edition of the Silverline is a much tighter fit. So much that they are going to have to be returned.

Gave them 4 stars because they are good shorts for the $$ but the fit is way off previous Giordana sizing.